Russia-Ukraine crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Kremlin in Moscow, on April 17, 2025.

Qatar and Russia to up investment by $2B as emir visits Moscow

Cooperation between Qatar and Russia on energy matters is growing, as Doha seeks to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine over the war.

People hold placards as they ride in a convoy of vehicles during a rally held by relatives and friends of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as they call for their exchange with Russian prisoners, in Kyiv on March 9, 2025.

UAE brokers Ukraine-Russia swap for 350 prisoners: What we know

The Emirati mediation follows Saudi Arabia's hosting talks on the war and the UAE boosting its ties with Ukraine.

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 10.

Analysis

Ukraine ceasefire showcases Saudi Arabia's diplomatic role under Trump

Ahead of Ukraine's high-stakes negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war with the US on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday.

Jennifer Gnana

By Rosaleen Carroll , Jennifer Gnana

Two giant election banners showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shaking hands with US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin and a caption reading "Netanyahu, in another league," Tel Aviv, July 28, 2019.

Analysis

Wary of Turkey and Iran, Israel tightens ties with Russia: What to know

Regional shifts, especially involving Iran, Syria and Turkey, are forcing Israel to reevaluate its complicated relations with Russia.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Saudi Arabia to host US-Ukraine talks on ending war with Russia

Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East, speaks to the press outside of the White House on March 6, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Analysis

Amid US rift and Saudi rivalry, UAE offers Zelenskyy economic lifeline

Voladymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Analysis

After Istanbul meeting, what role for Turkey in a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands after attending a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Feb. 18, 2025.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

In Qatar, Russia's Lavrov rejects European force in Ukraine, pushes for Syria access

Lavrov and Thani

Gold bar wrapped in a financial newspaper.

Russia becomes UAE’s top gold supplier as Ukraine sanctions bite

The United Arab Emirates bought 96.4 tons of gold from Russia in 2022, making it Moscow's top gold importer.

United Arab Emirates

Zelenskyy Netanyahu

Mossad chief attends Netanyahu meeting with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after his first meeting since Russia’s invasion with Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy that Israel will help Ukraine deal with anti-personnel mines, but said nothing about missile defense.

This image shows high-rise buildings in Dubai, on Feb. 18, 2023.

Dubai ranks first in luxury home sales in second quarter: report

Dubai was one of only four markets to see growth in its overall sales volume of luxury homes between Q2 2022 and Q2 2023 at 79%, along with Sydney (46%), Paris (17%) and Geneva (7%).

United Arab Emirates

Russia Turkey Ukraine

Which 5 Turkey-based firms did US sanction for aiding Russia in Ukraine?

US officials have repeatedly pressed Turkish counterparts to address the flow of funds to Russia amid the war in Ukraine.

Francois Nel/Getty Images

Dubai apartment prices soar, spooking expats

The cost of the average apartment in Dubai rose 20% in one year through August.

United Arab Emirates

A man wearing camouflage visits the grave of Wagner private mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a private jet crash in the Tver region last week, at the Porokhovskoye cemetery in Saint Petersburg on August 30, 2023. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP) (Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia maintains Libya role after Wagner's mutiny, Prigozhin's death

A senior defense official visited eastern Libya to meet with the Libyan National Army and assure them that Russian support would continue.

North Africa Pulse

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană meets Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog, Jerusalem, September 7, 2023.

NATO deputy visits Israel, emphasizes shared threats from Iran, Russia

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana told Al-Monitor that he is optimistic the alliance will soon conclude a new four-year partnership framework with Israel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) inspect the honour guard during a welcoming ceremony, in Ukrainian capital Kiev, on August 19, 2019, ahead of a meeting. - Benjamin Netanyahu is in a two-days official visit in Ukraine. (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Netanyahu calls Zelenskyy as Ukraine-Israel relations take new dive

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been under pressure to arrange for thousands of Israeli pilgrims to visit Uman, Ukraine, next week amid tensions with Kyiv.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - MAY 25: Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon May 25, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. Milley and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin briefed members of the press following an online session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

US top general talks Syria, NATO with new Turkey counterpart

Gen. Mark Milley's first announced call with newly appointed Turkish armed forces chief Metin Gurak follows reports that the United States is exploring alternate routes for Ukraine's grain exports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Saint Petersburg on October 11, 2022. (Photo by Pavel Bednyakov / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by PAVEL BEDNYAKOV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

US presses UAE over dual-use goods fueling Russia's war

US officials, along with their counterparts from the European Union and United Kingdom, are visiting the UAE this week to discuss the Gulf country's financial dealings with Russia.

United Arab Emirates

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran on September 3, 2023. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey’s Fidan, NATO chief discuss Sweden’s bid, Ukraine grain deal

The phone call comes a day after the meeting in Sochi between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 16, 2023. (Photo by Ilya PITALEV / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ILYA PITALEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Western diplomats visit UAE to discuss Russia ties, Ukraine sanctions

Western officials landed in the UAE on Monday, reportedly in a bid to keep computer chips, electronic parts and dual-use products away from Russia.

United Arab Emirates